Cowboys Stadium 'virtual lock' to host first major-college football playoff title game

Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, long considered the heavy favorite to host the first major-college playoff championship game, is facing only one other bidder, according to reports.

Per Brett McMurphy of ESPN.com, Cowboys Stadium is "a virtual lock" to host the game on January 12, 2015.

According to Chuck Carlton of The Dallas Morning News:

College football officials have pointed to Cowboys Stadium as an overwhelming favorite to host the first title game for months. One source indicated those previous predictions “will prove be accurate,” according to the Morning News.

Translation: it would be a huge upset if the title game isn’t in Arlington.

At the same time, Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium has hosted big events, including Super Bowls in 2001 and again in 2009. But several possible contenders declined to bid.

An official announcement is expected to come during a meeting of the conference commissioners April 23-25.

The Jan. 1, 2015, playoff semifinals will be held at the Rose Bowl presented by Vizio in Pasadena, Calif., and the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.